Springsteen's Heir Apparent: The Ties That Bind
Tougher Than The Rest
Bruce Springsteen is easily the coolest man on the planet. At the age of 58, he is still writing killer albums, rocking sold-out 76,000 capacity stadiums with three hour marathon performances, and was named Eye Weekly Magazine’s 2007 ‘Indie Rock Icon of the Year’ for his unmistakable influence on artists such as The Arcade Fire, The Killers, and The National, to name a few. How many artists can say that?
Throughout his career, The Boss has released 17 studio albums and written some of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. His music, often theme related and lyrically intense, creates cinematic images and a sound that is distinctive even amongst casual music fans. Most importantly, Bruce keeps it real, staying true to himself, his fans, and the American public. And it shows; age, race, religion, political affiliation, or interests are irrelevant when it comes to Bruce. If he has something to say, people listen. That is what makes him cool. If I could be anyone for a day, it would be Bruce Springsteen.
A Good Man is Hard To Find
This past November, Paste Magazine posted a poll on their website (right). I was immediately confused upon seeing it, as I’m sure you are as well. First off, if you’ve listened to his latest release, Magic, you would know that Bruce does not need anyone to ‘carry his torch.’ He’ll pass it when he’s good and ready. Second, look at this list! Is that the best that music has to offer? Not to say that these artists aren’t talented or great songwriters, but c’mon! I’d be willing to bet that half of Americans don’t know at least half of the people on this list. If the parentheses with all of the bands’ names were removed, would you know who Craig Finn is? How about Damon Gough? Exactly. Bruce Springsteen doesn’t just speak for America. He is America. The list of candidates is embarrassing to say the least.
I lost a lot of respect for Paste Magazine for the choices they provided, and lost even more respect for Paste readers when the results posted. Ryan Adams, in short, sucks as a person. Is he a talented songwriter? Absolutely. But no man that is known for a career chock full of inconsistent live performances that include drunken escapades and diva-esque hissy fits deserves to be held in the same sentence as Bruce Springsteen. Shame on you, editors and readers of Paste Magazine.
(S)He’s the One
After my initial reading of the incomplete list candidates for Bruce’s predecessor, my disbelief that Bruce’s modern equal (if there is such a thing), Eddie Vedder, was not included. While Eddie’s musical style and songwriting abilities may significantly contrast that of Bruce’s, the similarities between the two are more than you realize.
Pearl Jam is arguably the best American musical act throughout the last twenty years, and their live performance warrant the credibility. No Bruce fan would argue that Eddie handles a crowd just as well, if not better, than Bruce himself. And just like Bruce, upon gaining significant popularity, Eddie uses his fame as a forum for social and political injustices without going overboard. Both artists use their fame wisely, speaking about issues that are not only important to them, but to their fans, and America as a whole.
Incident on 57th Street
Below is a clip from a Bruce Springsteen concert in East Rutherford, NJ. At the conclusion of the Vote For Change tour in 2004, Bruce decided to host a finale in his home state. My Uncle was able to get tickets, but alas, I was unable to go. I can’t even tell you why; that’s how insignificant my apparent lame excuse was. Anyway, half way through the band's set Bruce invites none other than Eddie Vedder to the stage. My Uncle was kind enough to call me when Eddie came stage, and I was able to listen to the two icons via telephone. Eddie played three songs with Bruce and the E Street Band that evening:
Darkness on the Edge of Town (Springsteen)
No Surrender (Springsteen)
Betterman (Vedder)
If you have seen Pearl Jam perform since 2004, you will notice Eddie Vedder playing Bruce's signature Fender Esquire/Telecaster hybrid guitar on a few songs; evidently a gift from The Boss. I don't know if Bruce passed on his torch that evening, but he certainly passed on his guitar.
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Opinions are always debatable. Just for argument sake, who do you feel is the coolest person alive? This applies to going overboard politically as well. 'Going overboard' is purely objective. I never really felt that he did, but I'm sure others have. Politics always get people rowdy, so I'm sure you've said is true from your perspective.
I never said that the list of artists wasn't 'basdass,' as you put it. In fact, musically speaking, it's quite good. Wilco is one of my favorite bands, and I'm curious to see what The Hold Steady will do next after 'Boys and Girls In America.'
The democratization of music is a good thing. Actually, it's a great thing. Artists today that are certainly worthy of recognition for their works are getting it, and probably wouldn't have 20 years ago (this also leads to a lot of crap, but i digress). Despite this, America right now is looking for an icon to 'carry the torch' for Springsteen, according to Paste, and can't argue with that. Everyone needs a leader, a man in the forefront. Paste, who we would agree is somewhat of an authority when it comes to music, provided a list of what I feel is inadequate and totally missed the boat of what 'The Torch' actually is. We're looking the next Springsteen here, a musical artist to speak for America, not just to write great songs.
I'm not going to argue with you that the artists listed aren't great; they're all worthy of comparison with Springsteen when it come to songwriting ability. Hell, Springsteen has even pledged himself a fan of Arcade Fire and has even played at one of their shows. They are not even close, however, to his iconic status, nor Eddie Vedder's for that matter.
You tell me to tell people whom to vote for, and I not going to do that. I would urge them, however, to vote for 'other.' As for my vote for best songwriter on the list, that goes to Tweedy.
The fact the picked Ryan Adams at the top of this list tells me that the public also missed what 'The Torch' is all about. Ryan Adams is an incredible songwriter, but hardly an icon, nor does he want to be one. The guy can't even get through a tour without walking off stage in disgust b/c the sound isn't right or people are screaming for Bryan Adams songs. Would I be annoyed at that? Absolutely. Maybe, however, he should show up for a sound check, or control his emotions a little better. The fact that his own fans heckle him should tell you something. Is this the guy you want speaking for America?
The Torch,' so to speak, has been passed on through the generations. First came Elvis, then Dylan, the Springsteen, and next will be Vedder. The four individuals are rock icons, that have spent their careers speaking for America, and against social and political injustices. The artists listed in the poll may do that as well, but don't have the forum to make their voice known. Is that their fault? Not necessarily, but they can make it happen if they wanted to. Perhaps the trend of staying indie is holding them back.
Maybe the article should have been more focused on how Paste just flat-out created an incorrect poll in the first place. It could have addressed other the fact it should be Vedder's torch that needs carrying, the one he received from Springsteen.
Only time will tell. I do know, however, that there was a major musical movement in the early 90s, and only one band is still standing from that era that is still in the mainstream: Pearl Jam (RHCP are still around, but weren't part of the grunge movement/seattle sound). At the front on the movement were two people: Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder. If Cobain was still alive, he may have the torch, but he isn't and doesn't.
We're in the midst of another major musical movement, and Eddie is carrying the torch. Pearl Jam just went to an indie label and Eddie just released a solo album; maybe he isn't ready to give it up. Personally, I don't think anyone is ready to receive it.
A - Bruce is not the coolest man on the planet.
B - You question the validity of the list offered as choices when in reality that list is pretty bad ass. Whether or not half of america knows them is irrelevant. This is a long tail world and artists are not as widely known becasue the 'pop' music industry is not what it once was. what matters is the fact that the poeple who actually care about music know them. Adams, Oberst, Ritter, Gough, Tweedy, Butler, Yorn and Beam are all amazing musicians and anyone who cares about music knows most if not all of them.
C - you lost respect for paste readers for picking Adams yet you didnt provide who they should have voted for. Vedder wasnt on the list ... so out of who was on the list, who should everyone have voted for?
D - my guess as to why vedder wasnt on the list was because vedder has been around for close to 20 years. (correct me becuase im sure you know better then i how long hes been around) ... he is part of the old guard, a musician who dominated the 'pop' world BEFORE the democratization of music ... a music icon in his own right.
E - when you look at the options and read the question, it becomes pretty clear what they are aasking.... Who of this group has the best chance of becoming an icon in his own right... of carrying the icon torch and changing the world. Vedder's already there so hes not an option
F - i like pearl jam but to say that vedder "uses his fame as a forum for social and political injustices without going overboard." is ridiculous.... TONS of his fans believe he goes overboard when it comes to politics ... ive witnessed the negative reaction of his political rantings first hand at concerts.
G - as for who to vote for.... you can make cases for many of them. Butler's arcade fire make some of the most sonically intense and lyrically moving music on the planted right now. Tweedy is the frontman and driving force behind the second best american rock band behind PJ - though for my money they are number 1. Adams, Yorn, Beam, Ritter and Gough are amazing singer songwriters in their own right. but the vote belongs to Conor Oberst.
H - Oberst is the one artist who albums are constantly different, who seeks change through his music both individually and nationally, and is a story teller on par with Dylan. whether or not he will ever become a 'pop' icon and carry springsteens i dont know. its a different world and the best acts arent necessarily the ones that the world gets to hear. the pop music industry is a different beast then it was when bruce and vedder started out. The question and the choices provided actually make pretty good sense.